A survey of waxcap grassland habitat at selected NWL landholdings

Produced by Andy Mclay

2

CONTENTS

Introduction 3 Survey methodology 4 Summary of results 4 Discussion 6 Appendices - Site Information 9

Tunstall Reservoir 9 Selset Reservoir 10 Catcleugh Reservoir 12 Whittle Dene Reservoirs 14 Fontburn Reservoir 16 Lockwood Beck 17 Scaling Dam 19 Colt Crag Reservoir 21 Kielder Reservoir 22 Hallington Reservoir 24

- Waxcap grassland quality scores 26

3

Introduction “Waxcap Grassland” is a term coined to describe semi-natural grassland types supporting assemblages of certain groups of grassland fungi. The key groups consist of waxcaps (Hygrocybe species), fairy clubs (Clavulinaceae), earth-tongues (Geoglossaceae), pink gills (Entoloma species) and fungi belonging to the genera Dermoloma, Porpoloma and Camarophyllopsis. All of these fungi are restricted to growing in agriculturally unimproved grasslands, i.e unfertilised grasslands with low levels of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Such grasslands have become a rare and threatened habitat type throughout Northern Europe since the 1940’s and the UK is now known to be globally significant for this habitat type. Increased recognition of their conservation value has led to the recent inclusion of waxcap grasslands within national and local conservation frameworks such as Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) and Red Data lists. Nearly all of the UK’s 49 waxcap species are included on at least one Red Data fungi list in Northern Europe. In the UK the 4 following species of grassland fungi currently receive recognition within the national BAP; Hygrocybe spadicea (Date-coloured waxcap) Entoloma bloxamii (Bloxam’s pink gill) Geoglossum atropurpureum (Purple earth-tongue) Microglossum olivaceum (Olive earth-tongue) In 2010 a survey was commissioned by Stuart Pudney, conservation officer for Northumbrian Water Ltd to assess the status of waxcap grassland habitat around selected NWL landholdings. This survey forms a continuation of that carried out in 2009 by Andy Mclay which sampled 7 reservoir sites in the Durham North Pennines area. The present survey covered a further 10 reservoir sites across Northumberland, Durham and Redcar and Cleveland areas. The sites surveyed were; Northumberland Catcleugh Colt Crag Fontburn Hallington Kielder Whittle Dene Durham Selset Tunstall Redcar and Cleveland Lockwood Beck Scaling Dam

4

Survey methodology All sites were surveyed twice to allow for seasonal fluctuations in fruiting patterns arising from adverse weather conditions. In addition, some species habitually fruit earlier or later than the peak (October) season and might therefore have been missed on a single visit only. All potentially suitable grassland habitat present at each site was then sampled in its entirety. All grassland fungi present were recorded where possible but for some of the more problematical fungi groups it was sometimes only possible to identify a species down to genus level. Records of waxcap species from single visits were noted to assist with site evaluation. Notable “hotspots” within areas of grassland were recorded using a hand-held GPS and notes taken on habitat condition, species distribution and abundance. Habitat photographs were also taken for each site.

Summary of results and site evaluation Table 1 shows the total number of waxcap species recorded from each site. The figures in brackets are the maximum single visit counts. Table 1

Site Name Total number of waxcap species recorded

Overall Quality Score

Tunstall 21 (18) 37

Selset 19 (18) 32 Catcleugh 17 (15) 37 Whittle Dene 17 (17) 35 Lockwood Beck 14 (13) 29 Fontburn 15 (14) 26 Scaling Dam 10 (10) 17

Colt Crag 10 (9) 14 Kielder 8 (7) 11 Hallington 8 (7) 9 Various systems have been devised for assessing the quality and conservation value of waxcap grasslands in Northern Europe. The most widely used is that based solely upon the presence of waxcap species and uses both total and single visit counts to assess conservation value. Although basic, this system is nevertheless considered to be effective and avoids the difficulties in identification associated with other grassland fungi groups. This system, known as Rald’s Scale, is shown below. Conservation value Total number of waxcap species Of international importance 22+ (17+ during a single visit) Of national importance 17-21 (11-16 during a single visit) Of regional importance 9-16 (6-10 during a single visit)

5

Of local importance 4-8 (3-5 during a single visit) Of no importance 1-3 (1-2 during a single visit) Use of Rald’s system of assessment would suggest that 6 of the sites are of national importance for waxcap fungi, two of which can be further described as being of international importance based upon single site visit scores. The remaining 4 sites would qualify as being of regional importance. The principal disadvantage of relying solely on this system is the potential to overlook important sites for other grassland fungi groups such as earth tongues and fairy clubs. Sites important for these groups may not necessarily be as significant for waxcap fungi. A more detailed system has been devised which takes into account the presence of all the key grassland fungi groups and recognises the importance of individual species as quality indicators. This quality scoring system was initially devised for Irish grasslands but can be equally applied to all UK sites. The full list of species with associated quality scores is included in Appendix 2. It will be seen from the list that those species in Class A score highest based upon their value as habitat quality indicators.The score is not a measure of rarity, for example the relatively widespread Hygrocybe punicea is listed in the top category. This species however only occurs in high quality sites with at least 8 other waxcap species. Using this system, a site is given an overall weighted quality score based upon the presence of certain key indicator species, which can then be used to assess conservation value and allow rapid comparison of sites. Table 1 includes the overall quality scores for each of the surveyed sites. It has been suggested that sites with totals of 30 or more are of SSSI standard, e.g. nationally significant.

Clavulinopsis umbrinella – a quality indicator species

As a rule, sites with high waxcap scores were also found to support other quality grassland indicator species from other groups. However at certain sites such as Catcleugh and Whittle Dene, the overall habitat quality score increases were more pronounced.

6

A total of 3 Category A “notable” and 13 Category B “notable” fungus species were recorded including one record of a UK BAP species – Entoloma bloxamii at Whittle Dene Reservoirs. With the one exception of Selset Reservoir, grassland fungi interest was found to be concentrated largely on and around the mown or closely-grazed grassland of the dam faces. Table 2 below shows the combined results from both waxcap grassland surveys carried out in 2009 and 2010. Underlined sites are of national significance for waxcaps. Table 2

Site Name Total number of waxcap species recorded

Overall Quality Score

Hury 24 (16) 51 Burnhope 21 (19) 41 Tunstall 21 (18) 37 Selset 19 (18) 32 Waskerley 18 (14) 33 Catcleugh 17 (15) 37

Grassholme 17 (15) 26 Whittle Dene 17 (17) 35 Fontburn 15 (14) 26 Blackton 15 (12) 25 Lockwood Beck 14 (13) 29 Smiddyshaw 12 (11) 20

Hisehope 11 (11) 17 Scaling Dam 10 (10) 17 Colt Crag 10 (9) 14 Hallington 8 (7) 9 Kielder 8 (7) 11

Discussion The 2010 survey has further highlighted the major conservation importance of NWL grassland sites for waxcaps and related grassland fungi. A total of 11 separate sites have now been found to be of national significance for waxcap species, 4 of which can be further described as being of international importance. The exceptional dam wall face site surveyed at Burnhope in 2009 was rivalled at Tunstall in 2010 and similarly fine waxcap grasslands were also found on dam faces at Catcleugh, Fontburn and Lockwood Beck. Further visits to Hury in 2010 have established that this site is currently ranked as the best waxcap grassland in the north east region and would rank as the seventh best site overall in England. The UK BAP listed Hygrocybe spadicea (Date waxcap) was found here in 2010 and represents the first record for the north east region.

7

Although waxcap grasslands have yet to receive national recognition as a priority habitat within the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan, Natural England and Countryside Council for Wales do now accept that the best sites can qualify for consideration as SSSI’s. The required criteria for SSSI quality habitat has been suggested as following that found in Rald’s Scale for sites of national importance, i.e. sites supporting 17 or more waxcap species. The single visit figure threshold has however been increased by one species to 12. By following these guidelines the top 11 sites from Table 2 would qualify for consideration as SSSI’s. The conservation importance of NWL waxcap grasslands in a local context is further highlighted in Table 3 below. This lists the top twenty sites for waxcaps in the north east region based upon surveys of more than 100 sites carried out by Andy Mclay since 2005. NWL grasslands (shown in bold) account for half of the sites listed. Table 3

Site Number of waxcap species recorded

Site quality score

Conservation importance

Carrs Farm 24 (19) 48 International Hury Reservoir 24 (16) 51 International Burnhope Reservoir 21 (19) 41 International Tunstall Reservoir 21 (18) 37 International Muggleswick Park 21 (16) 50 National Cockfield Fell 20 (16) 33 National Selset Reservoir 19 (18) 32 International Crawley Incline 19 (17) 35 National Gibside Estate 19 (13) 39 National Middle Hope 19 (15) 31 National

Waskerley Reservoir 18 (14) 33 National Rookhope: Ambling Gate Bank

18 (12) 37 National

Whittle Dene Reservoirs 17 (17) 35 National Catcleugh Reservoir 17 (15) 37 National Grassholme Reservoir 17 (15) 26 National Rookhope: Red Burn 17 (13) 36 National Bradley Hall: lawn 16 (12) 35 National

Prudhoe Hospital 15 (15) 30 National Fontburn Reservoir 15 (14) 26 National Blackton Reservoir 15 (12) 25 National

The weather conditions in 2010 were largely ideal for the development of fungal fruit bodies and the autumn was widely considered to have been one of the most productive for waxcaps in recent years. Hard frosts in late October and early November did however result in low counts on some of the second

8

site visits. At Lockwood Beck for example 13 waxcap species were recorded on the first survey but only 4 were present on the later visit. Certain members of the Clavariaceae family (fairy clubs) did well in 2010. The striking Clavaria zollingeri (Purple coral) was found for the first time in the north east at three sites, one of which was Catcleugh Reservoir dam wall face. As usual all of the key sites were found to have a tight sward maintained by either sheep grazing or mechanical mowing or a combination of both. The grassland moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus was typically omnipresent and a number of sites including Tunstall, Lockwood Beck, Scaling Dam and Whittle Dene were visibly herb-rich. Floristic indicator species of old unimproved grasslands included adderstongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum), spring sedge (Carex caryophyllea), great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) and ladies mantle species (Alchemilla spp.).

Agriculturally-unimproved sward with abundant Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

9

APPENDIX 1 Site information Tunstall Reservoir NZ066406 Survey date(s): 11.10.10 1.11.10 Conservation importance: International UK BAP species: Management : Mowing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens Hygrocybe calyptriformis Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe colemanniana Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe fornicata Hygrocybe glutinipes var. glutinipes Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe irrigata Hygrocybe laeta var. laeta Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe persistens Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe russocoriacea Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Clavaria straminea Clavulinopsis corniculata Clitocybe fragrans Coprinus plicatilis Cystoderma amianthinum Dermoloma cuneifolium Entoloma conferendum Entoloma porphyrophaeum Entoloma prunuloides Entoloma sericellum

10

Marasmius oreades Mycena flavoalba Mycena leptocephala Mycena pura Rickenella fibula Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes An outstanding waxcap grassland. Fungi were present in large numbers on all three tiers of the dam wall face. The steep dam slopes are mechanically mown with the arisings left in situ but this does not seem to be having a detrimental effect on fruitbody production. Almost all of the mown grassland area is unimproved lowland meadow and the presence of indicator species like spring sedge and heath grass (Danthonia decumbens) are confirmation of the low nutrient status of the soil. Below the dam face the mown banks within the treatment works grounds are similarly unimproved and also rich in grassland fungi. The category B “notable” species Hygrocybe fornicata and Hygrocybe colemanniana were only recorded from this area.

Dam wall face at Tunstall Reservoir

Selset Reservoir NY898211 Survey date(s): 25.09.10 27.10.10 Conservation importance: International UK BAP species:

11

Management : Grazing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe calyptriformis Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe citrinovirens Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe fornicata Hygrocybe glutinipes var. glutinipes Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe irrigata Hygrocybe laeta var. laeta Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe persistens Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Agaricus campestris Clavulinopsis corniculata Clavulinopsis umbrinella Cystoderma amianthinum Entoloma conferendum Entoloma porphyrophaeum Entoloma sericellum Entoloma sericeum Lycoperdon nigrescens Mycena epipterygia Mycena flavoalba Mycena leptocephala Psilocybe semilanceata Stropharia semiglobata Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes Another exceptional grassland site for waxcaps with 18 species recorded from a single visit. Sheep-grazed unimproved pasture occurs widely around the reservoir perimeter but much of it is damp and tussocky or dominated by rushes. However localised pockets of shorter and better-drained acidic turf are interspersed throughout and support important waxcap populations. Examples of these waxcap hotspots can be found on the south shore west of Sun Plantation at NY898211 and on the north shore west of Wemmer Gill at NY899214. Three separate populations of Hygrocybe citrinovirens were

12

found. This category B “notable” species would appear to fruit slightly earlier than most other species and is perhaps better found in September. No trace of it was seen during the second October visit. The dam wall face itself was less interesting and is particularly heavily grazed by sheep. However Hygrocybe ceracea and H.glutinipes, two small species more tolerant of heavy grazing were only recorded from here.

Acid grassland and rush pasture mosaic at Selset

Catcleugh Reservoir NT747032 Survey date(s): 30.09.10 5.11.10 Conservation importance: National UK BAP species: Management : Grazing, mowing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe calyptriformis Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe fornicata Hygrocybe glutinipes var. glutinipes

13

Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe irrigata Hygrocybe laeta var. laeta Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Clavaria fumosa Clavaria zollingeri Clavulinopsis umbrinella Clitocybe fragrans Cystoderma amianthinum Dermoloma cuneifolium Geoglossum sp. Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes As at Tunstall, grassland fungi interest at this upland reservoir site is confined to the dam wall face and associated grassland below. The area of suitable grassland habitat is however similarly extensive and occupies the whole of the steep three-tiered dam face. Clavaria zollingeri (see below) was an exciting find here. This was the first Northumberland record and only the third for the north east region of this striking and unmistakeable coral fungus. Also remarkable was the large population (56 fruit bodies on one visit) of Hygrocybe calyptriformis, the pink waxcap. The presence overall of 11 category A and B “notable” species growing together on the dam wall face is a strong indication of exceptional habitat quality. The two areas of associated pasture below the dam are also unimproved but do not get close-mown like the slopes above. They appear to be lightly grazed but no there was no sign of livestock present during the two survey visits. The drier parts of both pastures also supported grassland fungi including a further 10 specimens of Hygrocybe calyptriformis. A further pasture to the east of here was found to be generally too waterlogged to support grassland fungi.

14

The purple coral (Clavaria zollingeri)

Whittle Dene Reservoirs NZ074674 Survey date(s): 30.09.10 2.11.10 Conservation importance: National UK BAP species: Entoloma bloxamii Management : Mowing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe fornicata Hygrocybe glutinipes var. glutinipes Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe irrigata Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta

15

Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe russocoriacea Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Agaricus campestris Calocybe carnea Clavaria fragilis Clavaria fumosa Clavulinopsis corniculata Clitocybe fragrans Coprinus atramentarius Coprinus plicatilis Dermoloma cuneifolium Entoloma bloxamii Entoloma conferendum Entoloma prunuloides Entoloma sericellum Lepista nuda Lycoperdon perlatum Lyophyllum decastes Marasmius oreades Mycena flavoalba Mycena leptocephala Psathyrella lacrymabunda Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes A series of lowland reservoirs each containing areas of mown grassland on the surrounding banks. Most of the grassland is of the unimproved lowland meadow type and supports a large herb component including ladies mantle species, cowslip (Primula veris), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), devilsbit scabious (Succisa pratensis) and field scabious (Knautia arvensis). The moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, a strong indicator of unimproved and often waxcap-rich grasslands is abundant throughout. This is arguably the most significant of all NWL waxcap grasslands due to its lowland location within an intensively arable landscape where semi-natural grassland habitat is rare and highly fragmented. For grassland fungi it would currently rank as the second best lowland site in the north east of England. Virtually all of the available grassland habitat was found to be suitable for fungi but outstanding hotspots occur at the northern end of the Great Northern Reservoir where the UK BAP species Entoloma bloxamii was found, and on the dam face of the southern reservoir.

16

Smoky spindles (Clavaria fumosa) Mown reservoir embankment

Fontburn Reservoir NZ049937 Survey date(s): 13.10.10 28.10.10 Conservation importance: National UK BAP species: Management : Mowing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens Hygrocybe calyptriformis Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe glutinipes var. glutinipes Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Clavaria fragilis Clavaria fumosa Clavulinopsis corniculata Clitocybe fragrans Cystoderma amianthinum Dermoloma cuneifolium Entoloma conferendum Lepista nuda

17

Mycena flavoalba Mycena pura Psilocybe semilanceata Rickenella fibula Stropharia semiglobata Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes The steep three-tiered dam wall face and adjacent short grassland areas constitute a fine waxcap grassland of national significance. Hygrocybe punicea was present in good numbers together with H.aurantiosplendens, H.calyptriformis and the category B “notable” species Clavaria fumosa (Smoky spindles). Floristically the grassland is somewhat species-poor but this is almost certainly due to the intensity of mowing rather than any form of recent grassland improvement. A secondary area of waxcap grassland was found on the site of a covered reservoir behind the treatment works. Although just 5 waxcap species were recorded here, the close-mown unimproved and mossy grassland appears to be highly suitable for waxcaps and other grassland fungi.

Covered reservoir with mown unimproved grassland

Lockwood Beck NZ672140 Survey date(s): 8.10.10 12.11.10

18

Conservation importance: National UK BAP species: Management : Mowing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens Hygrocybe calyptriformis Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe irrigata Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Clavaria fumosa Clavulinopsis corniculata Dermoloma cuneifolium Entoloma porphyrophaeum Geoglossum sp. Lepista nuda Mycena leptocephala Mycena pura Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes The unimproved lowland meadow habitat on the dam wall face is notably herb-rich and includes populations of adderstongue fern and twayblade (Listera ovata). Following the main flowering period a short sward is maintained by mowing which is favourable to grassland fungi productivity. Waxcaps were present in large numbers and a high total of 9 category A and B “notable” species were recorded including a large population of Hygrocybe punicea.

19

Hygrocybe punicea – a category A “notable” species

Scaling Dam NZ746127 Survey date(s): 8.10.10 12.11.10 Conservation importance: Regional UK BAP species: Management : Mowing, grazing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe reidii Hygrocybe russocoriacea Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Agaricus arvensis Agaricus campestris Calocybe carnea Clavaria fragilis Clitocybe fragrans Entoloma porphyrophaeum Entoloma prunuloides

20

Geoglossum sp. Lepista nuda Lepista saeva Lycoperdon nigrescens Mycena flavoalba Mycena leptocephala Mycena pura Psilocybe semilanceata Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes A series of unimproved lowland meadows at the western end of the reservoir are known to support grassland indicator species such as adderstongue fern and great burnet. These sheep-grazed fields are managed for nature conservation and are therefore not as intensively managed as those waxcap grasslands found on dam wall faces. The pastures however are evidently nutrient-poor and are grazed down enough by autumn to support waxcap populations. The presence of both Entoloma prunuloides and Entoloma porphyrophaeum is a strong indication of habitat quality. A second area of importance for grassland fungi is the dam wall face occupying most of the northern shore of the reservoir. 9 waxcap species were recorded with the two category B Entoloma species mentioned above. Most of these fungi were found on the initial visit and only small numbers were seen on the second survey due to adverse weather conditions. Further finds could therefore be expected here on subsequent future visits.

A ring of wood blewits (Lepista nuda)

21

Colt Crag Reservoir NY924783 Survey date(s): 30.09.10 5.11.10 Conservation importance: Regional UK BAP species: Management : Mowing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe punicea Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Bolbitius vitellinus Clavulinopsis corniculata Clitocybe fragrans Entoloma conferendum Mycena flavoalba Mycena leptocephala Rickenella swartzii Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes Grassland fungi interest is restricted to the section of dam wall face at the western end of the reservoir. The steep west-facing mown bank adjacent to the main A68 road is unimproved and fairly herb-rich with devilsbit scabious, water avens (Geum rivale), heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile), ladies mantle species, common knapweed, etc. The moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus is abundant.

Dam wall grassland at Colt Crag Reservoir

Kielder Reservoir NY707875 Survey date(s): 13.10.10 28.10.10

22

UK BAP species: Management : Mowing, grazing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe colemanniana Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe insipida Hygrocybe mucronella Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe russocoriacea Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Clavulinopsis corniculata Clavulinopsis helvola Clitocybe fragrans Cystoderma amianthinum Entoloma conferendum Entoloma sericellum Entoloma sericeum Geoglossum sp. Mycena pura Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes Much of the extensive mown grassland area on the dam wall face is rush pasture and was found to be too waterlogged for fungi generally. Better-drained areas on the upper slopes were somewhat tussocky but contained small quantities of Hygrocybe virginea, Hygrocybe conica and Cystoderma amianthinum. The main area of interest for grassland fungi was the narrow strip of close-mown grassland adjacent to the dam access road together with associated mown grassland areas near both car parking sites. The best finds here were Hygrocybe colemanniana in small quantity and prominent earth tongues which appeared in large numbers at the time of the second visit.

23

Kielder dam access road verge

Mown rush pasture on dam wall face

Hallington Reservoir NY961757 Survey date(s): 30.09.10 2.11.10 Conservation importance: Regional

24

UK BAP species: Management : Mowing, grazing Waxcap species recorded Hygrocybe ceracea Hygrocybe chlorophana Hygrocybe coccinea Hygrocybe conica Hygrocybe pratensis Hygrocybe psittacina Hygrocybe quieta Hygrocybe virginea Other fungi Clavulinopsis corniculata Clitocybe fragrans Mycena flavoalba Rickenella fibula Category A and B Notable species are highlighted

Notes Suitable habitat is restricted to the dam faces on the southern banks of both reservoirs and to a very limited grassland strip beside the reservoir access road. The steep grassed banks are south-facing and mown, those at the eastern reservoir are also grazed by sheep. The grassland overall was found to be somewhat disappointing for grassland fungi. Although 8 waxcap species were recorded in total, actual numbers of fruit bodies was very low and no single grassland area had more than 5 waxcap species present. Low productivity might be accounted for by the heavy shading effect from the mature woodland directly below the banks.

25

APPENDIX 2

Waxcap grassland species quality scores Species Class Score Clavaria zolingeri A 4 Entoloma bloxamii A 4 Entoloma incanum A 4 Hygrocybe ingrata A 4 Hygrocybe lacmus A 4 Hygrocybe nitrata A 4 Hygrocybe ovina A 4 Hyugrocybe punicea A 4 Hygrocybe splendidissima A 4 Microglossum olivaceum A 4 Porpoloma metapodium A 4 Trichoglossum walteri A 4 All other earthtongue spp. B 2 Clavaria fumosa B 2 Clavulinopsis umbrinella B 2 Dermoloma cuneifolium B 2 Entoloma porphyrophaeum B 2 Entoloma pratulense B 2 Entoloma prunuloides B 2 Entoloma roseum B 2 Hygrocybe aurantiosplendens B 2 Hygrocybe berkeleyi B 2 Hygrocybe calciphila B 2 Hygrocybe calyptriformis B 2 Hygrocybe citrinopallida B 2 Hygrocybe citrinovirens B 2 Hygrocybe colemanniana B 2 Hygrocybe constrictspora B 2 Hygrocybe flavipes B 2 Hygrocybe fornicata B 2 Hygrocybe glutinipes B 2 Hygrocybe helobia B 2 Hygrocybe intermedia B 2 Hygrocybe irrigata B 2 Hygrocybe phaeococcinea B 2 Hygrocybe quieta B 2 Hygrocybe radiata B 2 Hygrocybe vitellina B 2 Hygrocybe xanthochroa B 2 Ramariopsis kunzei B 2 All other waxcap species C 1 Clavulinopsis fusiformis C 1